Spindle structure



G. F. YAGER SP INDLE STRCTURE Oiginal Filed Dec. 21, 1942 INVENTOR.

GEORGE F. YAGER ATTORNEYS K Nov, Il, 1947.

Patented Nov. 11, 1947 SNDLE STRUCTURE George F. Yager, Toledo, Ohio, assigner to The Bunting Brass & Bronze Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application December 21, 1942, Serial No. 469,716, now Patent No. 2,330,154, dated September 21, 1943. Divided and this application June 19, 1944, Serial No. 540,948

(Cl. 30S-36.2)

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to spindle assemblies such as those adapted ior use in boring, turning, facing or grinding machines for carrying and driving the chuck or holder for the Work, and constitutes a division of my application iiled December 2l, i942, bearing Serial No. 469,716, ngw Patent No. 2,330,154, issued September 21, l 43.

One oi the essential objects of the invention is to provide amore rigid assembly to avoid chatter when operating at relatively high speeds and to permit a liner and more precise tool operation or finish to be obtained within close limits on the wor.

Another object is to provide an assembly wherein the rotatable element or spindle is mounted in such a way that it has an immense load carrying capacity and is capable of operating without deflection.

Another object is to pro-vide an assembly wherein the spindle travels on a film of oil which not only serves as a lubricant to avoid metal to metal contact and reduce wear to a minimum, but also functions as a cleaning and washing agent for grit, dirt and other foreign particles, and as an absorber of shock from the drive belt for the spindle.

Another object is to provide an assembly Wherein a sleeve-type bearing for the spindle has a sleeve-type adaptor that forms therewith a subassembly capable of being removed as a unit from the quill when it is desired to renish or bore the bearing to renew the same. Thus, this arrangement obviates the boring of the bearing while in the quill and permits the renewal of the bearing to be more easily and accurately elected.

Another obj ect is to provide an assembly wherein the employment within the quill of a plain sleeve-type bearing for the spindle permits the use of larger spindle capable of running longer and handling heavier work.

Another object is to provide an assembly that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to install and eiiicient in operation.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View through a spindle assembly embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the quill or housing, B is the spindle, C is a spring loaded ball bearing assembly for the spindle, D is a plain sleeve bearing for the spindle, and E` is a iianged adaptor for the sleeve bearing of a spindle assembly embodying my invention.

As shown, the quill A is tubular in form and is provided intermediate its ends, preferably adjacent the inner end of the ball bearing assembly C, with an inwardly projecting annular enlargement lli which is concentric with but spaced slightly from a cylindrical portion l l of the spindle B to provide a predetermined clearance l2 therebetween. Actually, this enlargement lll constitutes a partition element and cooperates with the cylindrical portion ll of the spindle to divide the interior of the quill A into two longitudinally spaced chambers I3 and lli respectively for the ball bearing assembly C and the sleeve bearing D and adaptor E.

The spindle B extends axially of the quill A throughout its lengths and is provided beyond o-pposite ends thereof with endwise and lateral projections l5 and I6 respectively. The endwise projection 1li is the driving end oi the assembly and is adapted to carry a belt or chain driven pulley (not shown) by which the spindle B may be rotated, While the lateral projection or flange I6 is the work carrying end of the assembly and is adapted to carry a work holding chuck (not shown) by which the Work or tool may be rotated relative to one or more tools (not shown) to obtain the desired boring, turning, facing or grinding operation.

The spring loaded ball bearing assembly C is Within the chamber I3 and comprises two sets 20 and 2| respectively of ball bearings at longitudinally spaced points of the spindle B, inner and outer races 22 and 23 respectively for each set, a collar 2li between the outer races 23 of said sets, a collar 25 within the inner race 22 of the outer set 2| and having a lateral flange 2li abutting a shoulder 2l of the spindle B and extending toward but terminating short of the collar 24, a

spring retainer 28 between the lateral flange 23 of the collar 25 and the inner race 22 of the inner set 20, coil springs 29 within` said retainer 28 and projecting endwise therefrom against the lateral flange 26 of the collar 25, a clamping, nut 30 threadedly engaging the quill A and having a slotted flange 3| abutting the outer race 23 of the set 2 I ,-and a clamping nut 32 threadedly engaging the spindle B and abutting the inner race 22 of the set 2l.

Preferably the inner race 22 of the inner set 20 is adjacent a liange 33 of the spindle B, while the outer race 23 of the inner set abuts a shoulder 34 of the quill A. Thus there is a slight space 22a between the inner race 22 and the flange 33 so that the inner race can move in response to expansion of the springs 29.

The nut 32, inner race 22 of the outer set 2l, collar 25, retainer 28 .and springs 29 therein, and inner race 22 of the inner set 20 are carried by and rotate in unison with the spindle B relative to the nut 30, outer races 23 of the sets 2l and 20, collar 24 and quill A.

Actually, the springs 29 take up thrust wear` that otherwise might have a tendency to produce objectionable end play. Such springs 29 also compensate for any pull transmitted to the spindle B from the pulley and its driving belt, especially when the belt load is downward.

In the present instance I prefer to use relatively heavy oil within the chamber I3 containing the ball bearing assembly C. To receive such oil I have provided in the quill A an oil inlet 40 that is in registry with an annular groove or passage 4I in the collar 24. Circumferentially spaced holes 42 are provided in the collar 24 in registry with this groove 4I to permit oil to now from the groove to the interior of the chamber I3. However, it is desirable to prevent this heavy oil from entering the chamber I4 containing the sleeve bearing D, hence the spindle B is provided at the inner end of the chamber I3 with longitudinally spaced rings 43 and 44 respectively that constitute oil slingers for throwing off the oil so that it will not enter the clearance space I2 between the inward enlargement I of the quill and the cylindrical portion II of the spindle. Consequently such oil will now between the inner and outer races 22 and 23 respectively of the inner set 2D, between the spring retainer 28 and collar 24, between the inner and outer races 22 and 23 respectively of the outer set 2l, and thence through slots 45 in the ange 3l of the nut 3B to one or more drainage or outlet passages 46 in the quill A. In this connection it will be noted that the clamping nuts 39 and 32 have cooperating ilanges 41 and 48 that collectively provide a seal to preclude the escape therebetween of oil from the chamber I3 and to exclude dirt, dust, etc. Thus, the only discharge of oil is through the drainage slot 46,

The sleeve .bearing D and flanged adaptor E are disposed one within the other as a removable subassexnbly within the chamber I4 and are preferably spaced from the inward enlargement I Il of the quill A to provide a sump 80 for oil The bearing D terminates short of the lateral projection I 6 of the spindle B so as to provide a receiver 8l for oil, while the flange 82 of the adaptor projects laterally outward between the lateral projection IB of the spindle and the adjacent end of the quill A and is fastened to the latter by one or more screws 83.

Preferably the oil used in the chamber I4 is comparatively light or is a mixture of approximately 75% kerosene and 25% spindle oil. Such oil is fed through a suitable inlet opening 84 in the quill A t0 the sump 80 and is carried by a spiral groove 85 in the spindle B into the sleeve bearing D. A ring 86 of greater diameter than the spindle B is loose on the spindle within the sump 89 and cooperates with the spindle B during rotation thereof to facilitate the transfer of oil from the sump via the spiral groove 35 to the inside of the bearing D.

To prevent the light oil in the chamber I4 from entering the chamber I3 containing the ball bearing assembly C, I have provided longitudinally spaced rings 90 and SI respectively on the spindle B at the inner end of the chamber I4 for throwing such oil outwardly into the chamber so that it will not enter the clearance space I2 between the inward enlargement ID of the quill A and the cylindrical portion I I of the spindle B.

Preferably the spiral groove 85 for oil cornmences adjacent the ring 9| and terminates approximately one inch from the outer end of the sleeve bearing D. Thus, this termination of the spiral groove 85 short of the outer end of the bearing D causes the pressure of the oil within the bearing D t0 build up sufficiently to substantially float the spindle B centrally in the bearing D.

Located in the receiver 8l between the outer end of the bearing D and the lateral projection I 6 of the spindle is an oil slinging ring 92 on the spindle B for throwing oil outwardly from said receiver to prevent it from escaping between the liange S2 of the adaptor E and the lateral projection I5 of the spindle B to the exterior of the quill, While extending lengthwise of the adaptor E from said receiver 8l to the sump 8i) is one or more passages 93 receiving the thrown oil aforesaid and returning it to the sump 85. Moreover, the ange 82 of the adaptor E is provided on its outer face with an annular rib S4 that extends within and cooperates with the walls of an annular recess in the inner face of the lateral projection I6 of the spindle to form a seal to prevent the escape of oil and to exclude dirt, clust, etc. Also an annulus SB is sleeved upon the quill A to cover the lateral flange 82 and a portion of the projection I6 and joints therebetween as a further shield against dirt, dust, etc. Any suitable means such as a set screw 91 may be employed to hold the annulus 96 in place.

In practice the spindle B may be solid or may have a conventional axially extending air passage such as 98 for use with air actuated mechnism (not shown). Inasmuch as the sleeve bearing D and adaptor E are assembled as a unit which may be removed from the quill A, it is possible to more accurately rel-inish or renew the sleeve bearing D after the unit is removed than would be the case if this had to be done if the bearing D was within the quill A.

In use, the quill A may be mounted by any suitable means (not shown) upon or within the housing or frame of the machine in which it is to be employed. After the drive pulley (not shown) is keyed upon the axial projection I5 of the spindle, and the work holding chuck (not shown) is bolted to the lateral projection I5 of the spindle, therotation of the spindle B in theV quill A may be elected so that the work may be engaged by the desired tool to obtain the proper boring, turning, facing or grinding operation, While the spindle B is rotating heavy oil may be supplied to the inlet opening 40 for the chamber I3, while light oil may be supplied to the inlet opening 84 for the sump 80 in the chamber I4, and such oils will serve eiciently to lubricate the parts without commingling, due to the action of the oil slinger rings 43, 44, 90 and 9| respectively. Actually, the oil carried by the spiral groove 85 into the sleeve bearing D will enhance the operation of the spindle B in the bearing D. In fact the spindle B rotates on a film of oil within the bearing D. Hence the provision of the relatively long sleeve bearing D and oil passage 85 provides an assembly having an immense load carrying capacity Without deflection. Thus, I have provided a more rigid assembly that avoids chatter and permits a finer and more precise tool operation to be obtained in close limits on the work.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A spindle assembly comprising a spindle having at one end a lateral flange adapted to carry a work holding chuck, a tubular housing encircling the spindle adjacent the lateral flange thereof, a partition between the spindle and housing forming one end of an oil sump, a sleeve bearing and a sleeve adaptor therefor disposed one within the other Within said housing in longitudinally spaced relation to said partition, said bearing and adaptor cooperating with the spindle and housing to form an opposite end of the oil sump aforesaid, the periphery of the spindle being provided from the sump past the inner end of the bearing to a point adjacent the outer end of the bearing with a spiral groove for conducting oil from the sump into said bearing, said outer end of the bearing terminating short of the outer end of the adaptor and spaced from the lateral flange of the spindle to form therebetween a receiver for oil from said bearing, and means including a passage extending longitudinally of the adaptor for returning to the sump oil discharged from the bearing into said receiver.

2. A spindle assembly comprising a spindle having at one end a lateral flange adapted to carry a work holding chuck, a tubular housing encircling the spindle in spaced relation to said lateral flange, a partition between the spindle and housing forming one end ofv an oil sump, a sleeve bearing and a sleeve adaptor therefor disposed one within the other within said housing in longitudinally spaced relation to said partition, the inner ends of said bearing and adaptor cooperating with the spindle and housing to form an opposite end of the oil sump aforesaid, the outer end of the bearing terminating short of the outer end of the adaptor and spaced from the lateral flange of the spindle to form therebetween a receiver for oil, means including a groove extending longitudinally of said spindle for conducting oil from the sump into said bearing toward said receiver, and means including a passage extending longitudinally of the adaptor for returning tothe sump oil discharged from the bearing into said receiver.

3. A spindle assembly comprising a spindle having at one end a lateral flange adapted to carry a work holding chuck, a tubular housing encircling the spindle in spaced relation to said lateral flange, a partition between the spindle and housing forming one end of an oil sump,

a sleeve bearing and a sleeve adaptor therefor disposed one Within the other within said housing in longitudinally spaced relation to said partition, the inner ends of said bearing and adaptor cooperating with the spindle and housing to form an opposite end of the oil sump aforesaid, the outer end of the bearing terminating short of the outer end of the adaptor and spaced from the lateral flange of the spindle to form therebetween a receiver for oil, means including a groove extending longitudinally of said spindle for conducting oil from the sump into said bearing toward said receiver, means including a passage extending longitudinally of the adaptor for returning to the sump oil discharged from the bearing into said receiver, the adaptor having a lateral flange secured to the housing in the space between the latter and the lateral flange of the spindle, said lateral flanges of the adaptor and spindle having cooperating tongue and groove means for preventing escape of oil from said receiver to the exterior of said housing.

4. A spindle assembly comprising a spindle having a substantially cylindrical portion pro- -vided with a lateral flange adapted to carry a work holding chuck, a housing having a tubular portion encircling the cylindrical portion of said spindle in spaced relation to said lateral flange, a sleeve bearing and a sleeve adaptor therefor disposed one within the other within the tubular portion of said housing, a sump for oil within the housing at the inner end of said bearing, the adaptor having a lateral flange secured to the housing in the space between the latter and the lateral flange of the spindle, the outer end of said bearing terminating short of the outer end of the adaptor and spaced from the lateral nange of the spindle to form therebetween a receiver` for oil, means including a groove extending longitudinally of said spindle for conducting oil from said sump into said bearing towardi said receiver, and means including a passage extending longitudinally of the adaptor for returning to the sump oil discharged from said bearing into said receiver.

GEORGE F. YAGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,433,424 Stoner Oct. 24, 1922 1,510,804 Sherwood Oct. 7, 1924 1,673,700 Nilsson June 12, 1928 1,898,659 Gardner Feb. 21, 1933 1,935,921 Schwitzer Nov. 21, 1933 2,046,092 Rosendahl June 30, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 81,384 Switzerland 1919 321,266 France 1902 692,050 Germany Aug. 30, 1934 

